Daniel Ricciardo “AlphaTauri is no longer a junior F1 team”[F1-Gate.com]

Daniel Ricciardo says AlphaTauri F1 Team is “no longer a junior team” as it heads into 2024 with two experienced drivers and a new team name. Next year, Ricciardo and Hiroki Tsunoda will form the most experienced driver line-up since Toro Rosso first competed in 2006.

Owners Red Bull have reaffirmed their commitment to move the Faenza organization higher up the grid under new management of CEO Peter Beyer and team principal Laurent Mequise. The new team name and title sponsorship package is expected to be published in the coming days when the FIA ​​(Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) releases the official entry list for the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship. “We feel we are moving in the right direction,” Ricciardo said. “Honestly, I feel like all the feedback I’ve given the team, they’ve acted and done their best to make it happen and make it work.” Honestly, I can’t ask for much more right now. It’s all about how quickly we can get new parts into the car. “I don’t want to sound patronizing, but they’re in the right place. It’s in the location. I feel like we’re meeting in the right place in a sense and looking ahead. I think they value the experience that I have and that’s really important moving forward. “I feel like we’re not a junior team here anymore, and we have a lot of plans for next year, but we want to prove it on the track like in the last few races and do more.” Ricciardo is upbeat about the changes the team is undergoing, with the new American sponsor becoming part of the team’s new identity. “In some ways, there’s a lot of things that are really exciting for me. As I’ve been through this stage in my career, in some ways we’re on a similar path. “I’m full of confidence. I think Yuki’s season has really stepped up and proven himself.”I think the team has faith in me, and I think the team has confidence in me, not just as a McLaren driver, but as a Red Bull driver.” They’re watching! That’s why we’re all in a good place.”The team just lost out to Williams in the race for seventh place in the 2023 F1 World Championship, but Ricciardo said he’s not that big of a deal considering his low ranking in the first half of the year. He says it didn’t hurt. “Of course, I wasn’t in the team for the first half of the season,” Ricciardo said. “But I think the team turned things around, made updates, and Yuki and myself pushed each other little by little, which was a positive thing for the team.” “So, the team is looking forward to next year.” “I think there’s a lot to be excited about in a way. Of course I’m happy to be seventh, but up until a few races ago I was saying that 10th was out of the question. “So seventh place was a bonus in a way, for next year. We are now able to compete a little more.”